Biography

PEPE just finished the seven-episode limited series AHORA QUE NO ESTAS (Jump-Start My Heart), an original Amazon MGM Studios series which he created, directed, co-wrote and EP-executive produced (showrunner) all episodes to be released in December 2024. He is currently developing the series BELLEZA EN JUICIO and the films POLICY OF THE HEART and ALL THEY WILL CALL YOU.

Pepe's latest film, COMO CAIDO DEL CIELO, a Netflix original musical comedy he directed, produced and co-wrote, inspired by the songs of Mexican legend Pedro Infante, became the 2019's number one Spanish title in Mexico on Netflix. Also, the film ranked third for any title released in Mexico that year, regardless of language. And in the United States, the film was one of Netflix's 2019 Top 10 Most Popular International releases.

Some of his notable projects include:

MAS SABE EL DIABLO POR VIEJO, which he directed, wrote and produced. The film was produced and released theatrically by 20th Century Fox. The film was nominated for 2 Silver Goddess Awards given by the Mexican Film Press, Journalist & Critics and it reached 6th place in Mexican films box office in 2018.

LEGENDS, a collection of stories that depict the magic of Latin folk tales and fables, written, produced and directed by Pepe.

HIDDEN MOON, an international production between USA and Mexico, distributed by Universal Pictures, where Pepe also directs, writes and produces. This feature film assembles a cast from Hollywood and Mexico that includes the BAFTA nominee and Oscar Winner for Best Film for American Beauty, Wes Bentley. Along with Latin American star Ana Serradilla and US Actors: Johnathon Schaech and Linda Gray. The original score was composed by Luis Bacalov, Academy Award winner for the Italian film IL Postino, and the love theme of the film was performed by the Italian singers IL VOLO.

HIDDEN MOON was nominated for 8 Silver Goddess Awards by the Mexican Film Press including: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress (won), Best Actor, Best Song (won), Best Supporting Actress, and it won the Bravo Awards in Mexico for Best Picture of the Year, Best Actress and Best Actor. The film also won Best Film and Best Cinematography at the Cinegear Expo - Paramount Pictures in LA.

SEA OF DREAMS represents Pepe's feature-film debut as a director, writer and producer. A Mexican- American production in English that assembles an international cast which includes the three time Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA nominee Brazilian actress Sonia Braga, Academy Award nominee Seymour Cassel, Johnathon Schaech & Mexican sweetheart Angelica Maria. For the score, Pepe collaborated with celebrated composer, Luis Bacalov.

SEA OF DREAMS received much critical acclaim, cited by VARIETY as "... a rare treasure." and earned Pepe the 2006 Silver Goddess award from the Mexican Film Press, Journalists & Critics. The film was also listed as one of the top ten films of the year by Cinemania Magazine. His perspective, which fuses the Latin and American experience, was honored in a gallery presentation at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, showcasing Sea of Dreams as part of "The Legacy of Mexican Cinema" exhibition.

Pepe holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in film directing from the University of Southern California USC School of Cinematic Arts, a degree in marketing from Harvard University and a Bachelor's degree from the Monterrey Institute of Technology.

His numerous awards include the DGA Student Film Award for directing, the Kodak Award, the Barbara Corday Award, the USC Faculty 546 directing Award, and a Cinema Circulus Award for academic excellence. Additionally, he was recognized with a grant from Columbia TriStar as a promising new talent, and for three consecutive years, the directing award given by the Mexican National Endowment for Culture and the Arts.
- IMDb mini biography by: Success Boulevard